Lively Interactions by Kathryn

Lively Interactions by Kathryn - January 2015 Scholarship Essay

Teachers are constantly giving advice, whether it be what to change on the second draft of an essay or how to do a math problem in a simpler way. They do this because that is truly what they are paid to do. Not very often are the students given the opportunity to give guidance to the teacher, but I do have one fragment of advice that I would share with any teacher that I could potentially have. In my opinion, teachers should always be sure to include as many lively interactions as possible, to keep the student audience engaged with the lesson.

I have had many different teachers throughout my years of schooling, and the ones that have always had the most positive impact on me are the ones who make the lessons most interactive. This could be achieved in many different ways, through clever pneumonic devices, creating laughter, and doing different exercises to make the classroom a hands-on learning experience. This can also be brought about through a different kind of interaction; caring for the students in a healthy, but authentic way. When I feel that my teachers genuinely care about my life, even if it is a minute detail, it can leave a lasting impact on me and give inspiration to become so much more.

One thing a teacher is meant to do is leave an impression upon a student. The teacher must be very careful and make sure the impact they have is for the good, but before they can do that, they must first have the attention of the students. As John Henrik Clark once said, "A good teacher, like a good entertainer first must hold his audience's attention, then he can teach his lesson."